Swimming Pool Cover

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool cover for a swimming pool, the swimming pool being surrounded by a flat surface such as a pool deck. The swimming pool cover includes, in one embodiment, a screen of mesh fabric, a frame mounted on the periphery of the screen and extending completely around the swimming pool, a first strip of magnetic material fixedly secured to the frame and a second strip of stainless steel sized and shaped identical to the first strip and fixedly secured to the flat surface. In use, the screen is placed over the swimming pool wherein the frame is moved around so that the first strip of material is aligned with second strip of material. As so aligned, the second strip of material is attracted to the first strip of material to tightly seal the frame to the flat surface to prevent environmental debris including small animals and ants from falling into and contaminating the water held within the swimming pool. Because the screen is constructed of a mesh fabric, moisture will pass through the screen and environmental debris will accumulate on the screen. To remove the swimming pool cover, it can be folded into a vertical stack and lifted off the pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to swimming pool accessories and more particularly to swimming pool covers.

Swimming pool covers are well known in the art and are commonly placed over a swimming pool to prevent environmental debris from falling into and contaminating the water held within the swimming pool.

Most conventional swimming pool covers are manufactured out of a sheet of plastic material which is slightly larger in length and width than the swimming pool over which it is to be disposed. In use, the swimming pool cover is suspended over the desired swimming pool so that the outer periphery of the swimming pool cover rests outside the swimming pool and preferably on a flat surface surrounding the swimming pool, such as the top surface of a pool edge or a deck. The sheet of plastic material is typically maintained in place over the swimming pool by anchors or springs on the outer periphery of the swimming pool or by disposing weighted objects, such as sand bags or water bags, on top of the periphery of the swimming pool cover.

Although widely used in commerce, plastic pool covers of the type described above experience numerous disadvantages.

As a first notable disadvantage, plastic swimming pool covers are typically heavy and bulky, thereby rendering the placement of the swimming pool cover over a swimming pool a time consuming and physically strenuous task. As a consequence, most swimming pool covers are designed to be disposed over a swimming pool for prolonged periods of time, such as an entire winter season, and are not used for frequent (i.e., daily) pool covering applications.

As a second notable disadvantage, plastic swimming pool covers tend to collect large quantities of water over prolonged periods of time. As a consequence, the collected water tends to weigh down the cover, making removal of the cover difficult.

Still another notable disadvantage of alternate swimming pool covers is that they fail to completely seal off the swimming pool to fully prevent small animals, insects and rodents from entering the pool.

Accordingly, alternative types of swimming pool covers have been introduced to prevent environmental debris from falling into the swimming pool contaminating the water in the swimming pool.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,156 to T. Sullivan there is disclosed a swimming pool cover which includes a mesh screen and a multi-piece frame which is mounted on the periphery of the mesh screen.

Another alternative type of swimming pool cover which is well known in the art employs a thin, lightweight, flexible plastic sheet. However, it has been found, that thin plastic sheets tend to become rapidly embrittled by the sun and/or pool chemicals. As a result, the swimming pool cover is prone to tearing, which is undesirable.

Still another alternative type of swimming pool cover which is well known the art employs rows of isolative, buoyant, foam panels which are hinged together at their adjacent ends by hinge means.

Some other U.S. patents of interest include U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,562 to C. J. Nickalo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,182 to L. M. Koelsch, U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,704 to D. A. Troiano and U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,428 to L. Morris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved swimming pool cover.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover which can be securely disposed over a swimming pool in order to prevent small animals and rodents from entering the pool and environmental debris and insects from falling into and contaminating water in the swimming pool.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover as described above which is highly portable.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover as described above which does not collect water thereon.

It is another object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover as described above which has a limited number of parts, which is easy to use and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover which is easy to install for daily use and remove, during the summer pool season.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover which can be securely disposed over a swimming pool in order to completely seal off the swimming pool to prevent small animals and rodents from entering the pool and environmental debris and insects from falling into and contaminating water in the swimming pool.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a swimming pool cover which completely and tightly seals off the swimming pool over which it is placed.

According to one embodiment of this invention there is provided a swimming pool cover for a swimming pool, the swimming pool being surrounded by a flat surface such as a pool deck, the swimming pool cover being sized and shaped to cover the swimming pool and extend over onto the flat surface, the swimming pool cover comprising a mesh screen, a frame fixedly attached to the periphery of the screen, a first strip of material fixedly secured to the swimming pool cover and a second strip of material fixedly secured to the flat surface and wherein the first and second strips of material cooperate to tightly seal the swimming pool cover to the flat surface and wherein the frame is constructed so that it can be easily collapsed into a stack of panels when the swimming pool cover is not in use.

In one version of the above embodiment of the invention, the first strip of material is a magnetic material and the second strip of material is stainless steel and in another version of the above embodiment of the invention one strip of material is Velcro hooks and the other strip of material is Velcro loops.

Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments for practicing the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 2 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view, an enlarged fragmentary side view and a hinge and a plan view taken from the top, respectively, of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 4 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view, an enlarged fragmentary side view and a plan view taken from the top, respectively, of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view, an enlarged fragmentary side view and a plan view taken from the top respectively, of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7, 7A and 8 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view and a plan view taken from the top, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 9, 9A and 10 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view and a plan view taken from the top, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11, 11A and 12 are a plan view taken from the bottom, a fragmentary section view and a plan view taken from the top, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the swimming pool cover shown in FIG. 1, the swimming pool cover being shown in a partially folded position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the swimming pool cover shown in FIG. 7 in a partially folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B and 2 a first embodiment of a swimming pool cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the swimming pool cover being designated by reference numeral 11.

The portion of swimming pool cover 11 shown in FIG. 1 can be placed over swimming pool 13 to prevent environmental debris from falling into pool 13 and to prevent small animals and insects from entering swimming pool 13.

Swimming pool cover 11 comprises a generally rectangular screen 15 of mesh fabric and a multi-piece frame 17 fixedly attached by any suitable means to the periphery of screen 15. Multi-piece frame 17 comprises multiple frame members 18, which are made of a rigid material, such as plastic. Swimming pool cover 11 also includes a first multi-piece strip of material 19 fixedly secured to frame 17 by any suitable means, such as an adhesive and a second strip of material 21 fixedly secured to flat surface 23, such as a deck, by any suitable means, such as an adhesive. First strip of material 19 a magnetic material and preferably a high energy, flexible magnetic material and second strip of material 21 is stainless steel.

In the drawings, screen 15, frame 17 and first strip of material 19 are shown in FIG. 1, while pool 13, flat surface 23 and second strip of material 21 are shown in FIG. 2.

Each frame member 18 in frame 17 has a pair of free ends 25.

Adjacent free ends 25 in frame members 18 are pivotally mounted together by a hinge assembly 26 which enables frame members 18 to pivot in either direction until adjacent frame members 18 are in contact. Hinge assembly 26 represents any bi-directional hinge assembly which is well known in the art. For example, hinge assembly 26 could be in the form of a hinge bracket pivotally mounted onto free ends 25 of adjacent frame members 18 by one or more pins, rods, or other similar devices.

Second strip of stainless steel 21 is shown as a single piece but could, if desired, be multiple pieces.

In use, the strip of magnetic material 19 cooperates with the strip of stainless steel 21 to tightly seal frame 17 to flat surface 23.

It should be noted that flat surface 23 and swimming pool 13 are not a part of this invention in this embodiment and all other embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 4 there is shown a second embodiment of a swimming pool cover for a swimming pool 41 according to this invention, the swimming pool cover in this second embodiment being designated by reference numeral 31.

Swimming pool cover 31 includes a screen 33, a frame 35, and a plurality of hinge assemblies 37, identical to screen 15, frame 17 and hinge assemblies 26 in swimming pool 11, frame members 35 having free ends 32 identical to free ends 25 in FIG. 1B. Swimming pool cover 31 also includes a first multi-piece strip of material 38 on the frame 35 and a second strip of material 39 on the flat surface 40. However, unlike first and second strips 19 and 21 in the first embodiment, first strip of material 38 is a multi-piece strip of Velcro hooks and second strip of material 39 is a strip of Velcro loops.

In use, the strip of Velcro hooks 38 cooperates with the strip of Velcro loops 39 to tightly seal frame 35 to flat surface 40.

In the drawings, screen 33, frame 35 and first strip 38 are shown in FIG. 3 while pool 41 and flat surface 40 and second strip of Velcro loops 39 are shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6 there is shown a third embodiment of a swimming pool cover according to this invention and being designated by reference numeral 42.

Swimming pool cover 42 includes a screen 43, a frame 45 and a plurality hinge assemblies 46 identical to screen 15, frame 17 and hinge assemblies 26 in swimming pool 11. Swimming pool cover 42 also includes a first multi-piece strip of material 47 fixedly attached to frame 45 and a second strip of material 49 fixedly attached to flat surface 51 surrounding swimming pool 52. However, unlike first and second strips 38 and 39 in the second embodiment, first strip 47 is a multi-piece strip of Velcro loops and second strip 49 is a strip of Velcro hooks.

In use, the strip of Velcro loops 47 cooperates with the strip of Velcro hooks 49 to tightly seal frame 45 to flat surface 51.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 7A and 8 there is shown a fourth embodiment of a swimming pool cover according to this invention and being designated by reference numeral 55.

Swimming pool cover 55 includes a screen 57 identical to screen 43 in swimming pool 52. Swimming pool cover 55 also includes a first strip of flexible magnetic material 59 fixedly secured to screen 57 around its periphery and a second strip of stainless steel 61 fixedly secured to flat surface 63 surrounding swimming pool 65.

As can be seen, a swimming pool cover 55 differs from swimming pool cover 11 in that there is no frame and first strip of material 59 is fixedly secured directly to the bottom of screen 57 rather than to a frame as in the first embodiment.

In the drawings, screen 57 and first strip 59 are shown in FIG. 7 while flat surface 63 and second strip 61 are shown in FIG. 8.

In use, the first strip of magnetic material 59 cooperates with the second strip of stainless steel 61 to tightly seal screen 57 to flat surface 63.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 9A and 10 there is shown a fifth embodiment of a swimming pool cover for covering pool 68 according to this invention and being designated by reference numeral 69.

Swimming pool cover 69 includes a screen 71 identical to screen 15 in swimming pool 11. Swimming pool cover 69 also includes a first strip of material 73 fixedly secured to screen 71 and a second strip of material 75 fixedly secured to flat surface 77. However, unlike first and second strips 19 and 21 in the first embodiment, first strip 73 is a strip of Velcro hooks and second strip 75 is a strip of Velcro loops.

In the drawings, screen 71 and first strip of material 73 are shown in FIG. 9 while second strip of material 75, flat surface 77 and pool 68 are shown in FIG. 10.

In use, the strip of Velcro hooks 73 cooperates with the strip of Velcro loops 75 to tightly seal screen 71 to flat surface 77.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 11A and 12 there is shown a sixth embodiment of a swimming pool cover according to this invention a being designated by reference numeral 81.

Swimming pool cover 81 includes a screen 83 identical to screen 15 in swimming pool 11. Swimming pool cover 81 also includes a first strip of material 85 fixedly secured to screen 83 around its periphery and a second strip of material 87 fixedly secured to flat surface 89 surrounding swimming pool 91. However, unlike first and second strips 19 and 21 in the first embodiment, first strip 85 is a strip of Velcro loops and second strip 87 is a strip of Velcro hooks.

In the drawings, screen 83 and first strip of material 85 are shown in FIG. 11 while second strip of material 87 and flat surface 89 are shown in FIG. 12.

In use, the strip of Velcro loops 85 cooperates with the strip of Velcro hooks 87 to tightly seal screen 83 to flat surface 89.

It should be noted that because screen 15 is manufactured out of a mesh fabric, moisture, such as rain or mist, will pass through screen 15, whereas environmental debris, such as leaves, accumulate on screen 15.

It should also be noted that although swimming pool cover 11 is shown in FIG. 1 comprising four panels, swimming pool cover 11 could comprise alternative numbers of panels to accommodate different sized swimming pools without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It should also be noted that swimming pool cover 11 or 55 could be sized and shaped to be custom fit over a particular swimming pool or that swimming pool cover 11 or 55 could be of a standard size and shape to accommodate most conventional sized swimming pools.

Swimming pool cover 11 can be easily removed from the swimming pool. Specifically, hinge assemblies 26 enable frame members 18 of frame 17 to be folded in one direction and then in the opposite direction in an accordion fashion as shown in FIG. 13. Because swimming pool cover 11 can be folded, or collapsed, into a vertical stack of individual panels, swimming pool cover 11 can be easily stored until further use. A perspective view of swimming pool cover 55 in a partially folded position is shown in FIG. 14.

Also, it should be noted that instead of manually placing the swimming pool cover over the swimming pool to tightly seal the frame or screen to the flat surface when needed and manually removing and storing the swimming pool cover when not needed, a system for automatically accomplishing this could be provided. The system would include a motor, a computer and mechanical linkages for coupling the swimming pool cover to the motor and to the computer remote control. The swimming pool cover could include any of the multiple embodiments described herein.

The embodiments shown of the present invention are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimming pool cover for a swimming pool, the swimming pool being completely surrounded by a flat surface, the swimming pool cover comprising: (a) a screen dimensioned larger than the size of the swimming pool so as to extend around and completely cover the swimming pool and extend on to the flat surface, (b) a frame fixedly attached to the outer periphery of the screen, the frame having a bottom surface, (c) a first strip of material fixedly secured to the bottom surface of the frame, (d) a second strip of material fixedly secured to the flat surface and extending completely around the flat surface, and (e) the first strip of material being sized and shaped so that the frame can be moved around so that the first strip of material can be aligned with the second strip of material when the frame is mounted over the swimming pool and flat surface and wherein the first strip of material and second strip of material are made of materials such that the first strip of material cooperates with the second strip of material to tightly seal the frame to the flat surface to prevent environmental debris, small animals, rodents and ants from entering the swimming pool.
 2. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the screen is a mesh fabric and the flat surface is selected from the group consisting of a pool deck or a pool edge.
 3. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is a high energy, flexible magnetic material and the second strip of material is stainless steel.
 4. The swimming pool cover of claim 3 wherein the second strip of material is selected from the group consisting of ferritic stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel 400 series and cold-rolled 300 series stainless steel.
 5. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is a strip of Velcro hooks and the second strip of material is a strip of Velcro loops.
 6. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is a strip of Velcro loops and the second strip of material is a strip of Velcro hooks.
 7. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the screen is a black mesh polypropylene woven screen.
 8. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the frame is multi-piece and is made of polyurethane plastic.
 9. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is fixedly attached to the flat surface by an adhesive.
 10. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the frame is four sided.
 11. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the frame is custom fit.
 12. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is a multi-piece strip.
 13. The swimming pool cover of claim 5 wherein the second strip of material is a multi-piece strip of material.
 14. The swimming pool cover of claim 13 wherein the first strip of material is fixedly secured to the bottom surface of the frame.
 15. The swimming pool cover of claim 3 wherein the first strip of material is a ferromagnetic material.
 16. A swimming pool cover for a swimming pool, the swimming pool being completely surrounded by a flat surface, the swimming pool cover comprising: (a) a screen dimensioned larger than the size of the swimming pool so as to at least completely cover the swimming pool, said screen having a bottom surface, (b) a first strip of magnetic material fixedly secured to the bottom surface of the screen, and (c) a second strip of material fixedly secured to the flat surface sized, shaped and positioned over the swimming pool so that the first strip of material can be aligned with and the second strip of material when the screen is mounted over the flat surface and wherein the first strip of material cooperating with the second strip of material to tightly seal the screen to the flat surface to prevent rodents, small animals, insects and the like from entering the pool.
 17. The swimming pool cover of claim 16 wherein the flat surface is selected from the group consisting of a pool deck or a pool edge.
 18. The swimming pool cover of claim 17 wherein the first strip of material is a high energy, flexible strip of magnetic material and wherein the second strip of material is stainless steel.
 19. The swimming pool cover of claim 18 wherein the first strip of material is Velcro hooks and the second strip of material is Velcro loops.
 20. The swimming pool cover of claim 1 wherein the first strip of material is Velcro loops and the second strip of material is Velcro hooks. 